Thursday, October 06, 2011

I am 30

On Saturday 1st of October I turned 30.

Turning 30 is a bit like the first time you're riding on a tram that you hear a mother tell her child to "mind the lady" and you realize she's talking about you. But I'm just a girl! When did it become fitting to address me as a "lady"? And now, since when did I become a fully grown woman, student days far behind her, a full gamut of grown up responsibilities on her plate?

How I feel about turning 30 changes from day to day. Some days I feel completely fine about it, other times I struggle with the concept.

There are days when I feel immensely proud of all I have seen, done and achieved in my 30 years. But there are other days when those things seem meaningless and insignificant. How does one more organic cushion in the world help anyone? How can I make more of an impact, do something even more meaningful and significant with my life? What's next?

That all said, I do feel very lucky. Lucky to be surrounded by so many wonderful, supportive people, and lucky to call Melbourne my home.

I remember turning 30 and wondering "but why? but what? for 10 years. Whether to have kids, whether to buy a bigger house, whether to stay in Canberra, whether to go back to uni, why can't I be a nicer person. Urgh.

Then I turned 40 and everything suddenly seemed less important and angst-filled. I got to enjoy who I was for the first time, and it mattered less to me what people thought of me. Also - I started wearing less black and embraced colours-other-than-red.

Happy birthday! 30 is a big milestone, it's kind of like there's no denying you're a grownup now (hence the mind the lady comment - I also find myself wondering who they're talking about when I hear that!) You have every right to be proud of all you've achieved - keep it up! Your gorgeous organic cushions and fabrics bring happiness to many and that's wonderful. Danielle x

Ah I know exactly what you mean! I still step out of the way when someone tells their kids to move out the way for the lady! And.. now just having a bubba myself, I still get confused when someone mentions my son!!! (when did I have a son, I'm not mature enough for this!!). Happy Birthday - the older you get the more fun you have!!

Happy birthday, Lara! Being in my 40s now it's hard to remember what was so troubling about turning 30, but I think I might have similarly felt a bit of angst! It's a great time, not too young, not too old, a bit of worldly wisdom under your belt. And, when you get to 40, you'll wonder what you were worried about!(I promise) Jo x

Welcome to a great time of your life. You are old enough to know yourself and what is important to you. You have learnt what makes you look great. You are still young enough and fit enough to do most of the things you want to. Happy Birthday!

Happy (belated) birthday! I know what you mean about the deeper questions, about wanting to make more of an impact and doing something significant with your life... I don't think those questions go away no matter what age (for those that delve that deep). If it is meant to be you will find a way, in the meantime just live life to the fullest with no regrets and hopefully the things you are blessed with will sustain you :)

I'm a little bit late, but Happy Birthday!!! Isn't it great to be born in '81? My birthday is in July, and I am happily living my 30th year. On a strange side note, I found a birthday card from my sister on my 22nd birthday that said, "Happy Birthday, and now you can forget your age for a while because the next big one isn't until 30"